Classification box



2 1924. Sq, L. H. HOOPER ET AL.

CLASSIFICATION BOX 7 Filed larch 31 1924 3 Sheets-Shut 1 gwuzntw Sept. 2.19%.

3 suits-shut. z

L. H. HOOPER ET AL CLASSIFICATION BOX Filed March 31 gwmntoc Gummy Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

"&1OGA1\T H. HOOPER AND RICHARD A.

PATENT OFFICE.

MURRAY, MUSKOG-EE, OKLAHOMA.

CLASSIFICATION BOX.

Application filed March 31, 1924. Serial No. 703,281.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, LOGAN H. Hoornn and RICHARD A. MURRAY, citizens of the United States, residing at hLluskogee, in the county of Muskogee and State of Oklahoma,

have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Classification Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to signaling devices and more particularly to the type known as a classification box and is an improvement over our pending application filed August 17, 1922. Serial #582,454.

The primary object of the present invention is the provision of means for associating the number of the engine with each classification box and novel means for operatively connecting a designating letter with one of the signaling arms or flags, whereby upon movement of the said signaling arm or flag, the designating letter will bebrought into an operative and an inoperative position relative to the engine number.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a spring-wound roller associated with each classification-box adjacent to the engine number having wound thereon a flexible shade upon which is printed a desi nating letter, and a flexible cable connecting the shade with one of the signaling arms, in such a manner that when the signaling arm is moved to its operative position, the shade will be moved downward to bring the designating letter to its operative position, and when the arm is moved to its inoperative non-signaling position, the shade will be returned to its normal inoperative position.

A further object of the invention is the provision of novel means for operating the signal arms or flags in both of the classification boxes from single feed or supply pipes located on one side of the locomotive.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device of the above character, which will be durable and eflicient in use, one that will be simple and easy to manufacture, and one which can be placed upon the market and incorporated with a locomotive at a small cost. I is With these and other objects in view, th invention consists in the novel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described,

claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a fragmentary top plan view of a locomotive with the invention applied thereto,

Figure 2 is a vertical section through one of the signaling devices,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the flags associated with each signaling device,

Figure 4- is a longitudinal vertical section through the signaling device showing one of the flags arranged in a semi-displaying position,

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the outer end of the signaling device with one of the flags arranged in the displaying position,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the signaling devices showing the other signaling flag in its operative signal ing position and showing the designating letter moved to its operative position relative to the engine number,

Figure 7 is a fragmentary longitudinal horizontal section through one of the signals showing one of the arms in its operative signaling position, and

' Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed vertical section through one of the signaling devices showing the shade carrying the designating letter pulled down to its operative position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown the preferred embodiment of this invention, the numeral 6 designatesthe forward end of a locomotive having the usual smoke stack 7 projecting upwardly therefrom, a signaling or classification box 8, which in the present instance consists ofa rectangular casing is mounted at the forward end of the locomotive at each side thereof and projects laterally beyond the boiler as clearly shown in Figure 1. Any preferred means may be utilized for supporting these boxes on the locomotive. Each of the boxes are of identically the same construction and therefore only one will be described in detail for the sake of brevity.

The casing 8 includes a front wall 9, top and bottom walls 10 and 11, end walls 12 and 13, and a hinged rear wall 14. The front wall 9 is adaptedto be arranged vface ing forwardly of the locomotive and is provided with an opening or bulls-eye in the upper corner as clearly shown in Figures 4 and 5. This opening is covered by a transparent lens and is the color of the ordinary lens. The end wall 13 of the casing which is the end arranged the furthest from the locomotive is provided with a pair of spaced vertical slots 16 and 17 for a purpose which will be hereinafter more fully described. This end of the casing in the upper rear corner is provided with an opening 18 which is covered by a transparent element or lens. The rear wall 14 is left plain with exception of an opening 19 in its upper corner which opening is covered by a transparent element or lens. so that a source of l1ght 20 may be seen by the engineer, so that at all times he will be informed whether or not the casing 8 is properly illuminated. The source of light in the present instance consists of an incandescent light bulb which is situated at the inner end of the casing adjacent the top thereof. Extending transversely through the outer lower corner of the casing Sis a shaft 21 which has its opposite ends journaled in the front and rear walls 9. and 14 as shown inFignres 2 and 7 of the drawings. This shaft is prevented from displacement by means of a collar 22 keyed to each end thereof. A'pair of the so-called flags 23 and 24 are loosely mounted in spaced relation on the shaft and the same are preferably made of rigid material such as hardwood, or metal. The flags are painted different colors and in the present instance the flag 23 is white, while the flag 24 is green. Each of the flags have se cured to one side thereof a small pinion 25 each of which has an opening therethrough arranged concentric with the opening in its respective flag and through which the shaft 21 passes. The flag 24 is of an L-shape having an opening at the juncture of its two arms for receiving the said shaft. The flag 23 consists of a straight bodyportion and is provided adjacent to its outer end with a bulls-eye 25. The inner'end of this arm is provided with an opening through which the shaft 21 passes. A coiled spring 27 is provided for each'flag and has one of its ends secured to a flag and the opposite end to'the'bottom wall 11 of the casing. These springs normally tend to hold the flags within the casing. 'It isto be noted that the-arm of the flag 23 must be rotated at an arc of substantially one hundred and eighty (180) degrees so as to move the same to" its signaling position, while the flag 24 only-"haste be moved through an ,arc' of eighty' '('80) degrees. The flag 24 has its signalingarm provided with a transparent element 28, of a rectangular figure8 and is the same color as the flag, while the other arm of the flag 24' is provided with a bullseye 29 which is adapted to align with the bulls-eye or opening 15 in the front wall 9 "alongside of the flag so that the teeth of the rack bar will mesh with those of the respective pinions 25. These rack bars are held in engagement with the pinions by means of suitable brackets or guides. Spac ing means 32 are arranged on the shaft so as to hold the flags in spaced relation.

7 In the present instance, each rack bar 31 constitutes the stern of a piston which is arranged within a cylinder 33 disposed at the forward end of the locomotive. These cylinders are connected to feed pipes 34 which can extend from any source of compressed air supply. It is to be noted that the pistons 33 on the left-hand side of the loco- The flag 23 is pro-' motive are connected by branch pipes 35 with the feed or supply pipes'34. Thus it is only necessary to provide a single pair of supply or feedpipes 34 for operating both of the signals on each. side of the 1000- motive simultaneously. have this supply pipe 34 lead to the cab of the locomotive and air pressure there.- through is controlled by the engineer so that by permitting air to enter into the cyl It is preferred to inders 37 the flags will be caused to project In the present invention the front wall 9 of each casing is provided with a rectangular cut-out'portion 36 adjacent to the incandescent lamp 20 and, this openingv has fitted therein a transparent plate 37 On which is painted or otherwise fixed the number of the locomotive indicated by the reference characterf38 on the drawingl The transparent plate 37 is left, blank in front of a number of a locomotive 38 so that a designating letter, such as X in the pres} ent case as'indi cated by the reference'char} acter 39 in the drawings, can be placed in front of the locomotive number 38 whenso desired. This designating-letterXispasted on or otherwise fixed to a suitable shade 40 which is wound about a spring rollerl41. This spring roller 41 is similar to the ordinary shade rollers and is carried by suitable brackets 42 secured to the inner face of the front wall 9 of the casing. The spring roller 41 normally tends to wind the shade 40 up thereon, and thus normally hide the designating letter X from view.

This shade is operatively connected to the white flag 23, so that when the white flag is moved to its signaling position the shade will be pulled down against the tension of the spring roller 41 and position the designating letter X in a signaling position. In order to operatively connect the shade with the arm a pull cord 43 is pro: vided. The cord 43 has its upper end connected to the lower end of the shade and its lower end connected to the flag 23 at a pointed space in the pivot point thereof. Suitable guide rollers 44 are provided for the pull cord 43 so as to insure the correct guiding thereof during the movement of the flag. When the flag 23 is moved back to its inoperative position, it is obvious that the shade will be returned to its inoperative non-signaling position.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but:

What we claim as new is:

1. A locomotive signaling appliance comprising an illuminated casing, a plurality of independently operable signal flags, an engine number plate carried by the casing, a movable designating letter associated with the casing, and means for operatively connecting the designating letter with one of the flags for causing the operation of said letter during the movement of the signaling arm.

2. In a locomotive signaling appliance, an illuminated casing having an opening therein, a transparent plate fitted within the opening having the locomotive number afiixed thereto, a movable designating letter adapted to be moved in front of and away from said locomotive number, a signaling flag pivotally mounted within the casing, means for moving the flag into and out of the casing, and means for operatively connecting the flag with the designating letter, as and for the purpose specified.

3. In a locomotive signaling device, an illuminated casing having an opening in the front wall thereof. a transparent plate fitted within said opening having the locomotive number aflixed thereto, a flexible curtain carried by the casing and arranged adjacent to the locomotive number having a designating letter afiiXed thereto. a signaling flag, means for moving the signaling flag into and out of the casing, and a pull cord for operatively connecting the signaling flag with the curtain whereby upon movement of the flag, the curtain will be operated therewith.

4. In a locomotive signaling appliance, an illuminated casing having an opening therein, a transparent plate fitted within the opening having the locomotive number affixed thereto, a movable flexible curtain arranged adjacent to the front end of the numher having a designating letter affixed thereto, a spring-wound roller receiving the curtain and normally holding the same wound thereon, a signaling flag pivotally mounted within the casing, means for moving the signaling flag to an operative signaling position and an inoperative non-signaling position, a pull cord operatively connecting the lower end of the curtain with the flag, so that upon movement of the flag to a signaling position the shade will be moved to an exhibiting position.

In testimony whereof we afiix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

LOGAN H. HOOPER. RICHARD A. MURRAY. Witnesses:

D. R. EMunNT, THELMA S. NELSON. 

